Old catalogues
are wonderful references for dating jewelry and illustrating how and with what
it was worn. This one not only displayed the jewelry, but also described with
pride the owners, workers, and the factory itself.

The J. R. Wood & Sons catalogue dated New York, 1919, describes the company
as, "Diamond cutters, wedding ring makers and manufacturers of fine gold and
platinum jewelry". On the inside cover is a hand-typed label which specifies
1919 as their 69th year in business.

"America's most up-to-date jewelry plant" located in the 1300 block of
Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.
Owned and occupied entirely by J. R. Wood and Sons.

Founder John R. Wood, 1825-1897
Sons Rawson L. Wood and St. John Wood

Workers at the jewelry plant.

"Our Policy"

The jewelry plant is described in the catalogue as follows:

"The construction is of steel and concrete. Practically all of the walls are
glass. The interior is white enameled throughout.

"Thirty-five telephones connect the various departments together with
electric elevators, signal horns and bells. Automatic electric clocks and
time stamps are installed in all departments so that accurate costs of
manufacturing can be determined on all work.

Similar designs are often found in jewelry, and they cross over
from fine jewelry to costume pieces. This
STARET clear rhinestones dress clip with gold tone and
silver tone leaves, 3-1/8", circa 1940, shares design elements with
the earlier Edwardian brooch shown at left.
View #S22410

Evidentially platinum was difficult to
obtain during the war years, as a note at the bottom of the page states, "Until government embargo on unmanufactured platinum is withdrawn, all special
orders must be executed in white, green or yellow gold."

NOTE: According to Dorothy T. Rainwater's book "American Jewelry Manufacturers", the J. R. Wood Company
was established in Brooklyn in 1850. After many years of jewelry making
under that name, they merged
into Lenox, Inc. [Keepsake Division] Trenton, New Jersey in 1970. Their wedding
rings were sold under the trade name 'Art-Carved'. In 1975, the name
of the company was changed from "J. R. Wood" to "Art-Carved Inc." Marks used by
the Wood Company can be seen on page 260 of this marvelous reference book.

PLEASE NOTE:Regretfully, it
is no longer possible to respond to individual questions regarding
jewelry history, identification or value, or to offer written or verbal
appraisals or opinions. The demand for this kind of information is
absolutely too overwhelming for one dealer to fill.
I love jewelry, but appraising and selling are two
entirely different businesses, and I choose selling and research as my
business.
Instead, articles are added on a regular basis to JEWEL CHAT on line Magazine, a
wonderful reference for information on many makers and styles of
vintage jewelry.
For information on valuing your jewelry, click
HERE.